At the inaugural ceremony of the Saudi national and cultural festival Al Janadriyah, where India has been given guest of honour country status this year, Ms Sushma Swaraj said "a large number of my Muslim brothers and sisters from India visit Saudi Arabia every year for Haj and Umrah pilgrimage.

"Once again I thank Your Majesty for increasing the Haj quota for India in 2017 and also for the special arrangements and care given to the pilgrims," she said.

Last month, Saudi Arabia increased the quota of Indians for the Haj pilgrimage by 5,000 from this year.

The decision by Riyadh came after Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi signed a bilateral annual agreement for Haj 2018 with Saudi Minister for Haj and Umrah Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten.

Now, a total of 1.75 lakh Indian citizens can go for Haj. Last year, Saudi Arabia increased India's Haj quota by 35,000.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ms Sushma Swaraj called on King Salman here and "steps to further intensify our strategic partnership in all sectors and to work together towards each other's progress came up during (the) warm discussion," according to Mr Kumar.